Management Challenges Occasioned by Drug Abuse in Secondary Schools in Mbeere North District, Embu County.
Loading...
Date
2013-08-14
Authors
Maundu, Ruth Mutumi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate into the management challenges
occasioned by drug abuse in secondary schools in Mbeere North District and the possible
solutions to these challenges. Out of the twenty seven (27) schools, nine (9) were
purposively sampled. This represents 30% of the schools in this district. Out of the nine
(9) schools, one (1) was girls boarding, one (1) was boys boarding, three (3) were mixed
day schools, three (3) were mixed day and boarding and one (1) was private. Each school
provided a total of forty (40) respondents, ten (10) students from each form, the deputy
head teacher and one (1) teacher for guidance and counselling. Three hundred and sixty
(360) students were randomly selected and nine (9) deputies and nine (9) 1.eachers
purposively sampled because they were from the same schools to facilitate consistency in
the research process. 'S'e~en objectives were covered in the study. One self-report
questionnaire with both closed and open ended questions was administered to each
student and teacher counsellors. Students' questionnaires were filled and collected, there
and then. Teacher's questionnaires were given a day before and collected on the day
when students were filling theirs. Data. was collected by use of questionnaires and
analyzed quantitatively. The results were presented in frequency distribution and
percentages. Data analysis was carried out. using the Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) utilizing descriptive and statistical analysis procedures. Descriptive
statistics used included frequency and percentages. The following were the findings of the
study; the commonly abused drugs in these schools included: alcohol, cigarettes, khat and
sleeping pills. Majority of the students (63.1%) indicated that the main source of drugs
abused by students was kiosks/small shops. Majority (66.7 %) of the students indicated
that the main problem of drug abuse by colleagues was lack of concentration. The
students who abused drugs turned to stealing money and property and also encouraged
damages on school property. A drug' prevention programme has been put in place in the
schools according to majority of the students (69.4%) and students were exposed to drug
prevention programmes. Teachers in the guidance and counselling departments and
BOG/PTA were involved in guidance and counselling. To curb drug abuse, all the teacher
counsellors and the deputy headteachers suggested that effective guidance and
counselling and creating awareness among students should be carried out. Based on the
findings of the study, the following recommendations were made=secondary schools
should have qualified guidance and counselling teachers who would help students
struggling with drugs. Since in secondary schools the cane is not used to discipline
students, emphasis should be put on guidance and counselling to control indiscipline
among the students. Students who are identified as drug abusers should not be expelled
from schools but should be accepted in the community and be helped through guidance
and counselling. Although the Ministry of Education has integrated drug abuse in some
subject, it should consider developing a curriculum on effects of drug abuse. This will
ensure that all students are informed about dangers of drug abuse in order to make
informed choices.
Description
Department of Educational Management Policy & Curriculum Studies, 99 p. The HV 5840 .K4M3 2013
Keywords
Students --Drug use --Kenya --Embu county --Mbeere North District --Prevention, Drug control --Kenya --Embu county --Mbeere North District